A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 18: SAMWELL
Overview
Exhausted survivors retreating from the Fist struggle south through a blizzard. Sam collapses until Small Paul and Grenn help him, but they become separated from the column.
An Other confronts them, extinguishes their torch, and kills Small Paul. Sam stabs the Other with dragonglass, watching it dissolve, and he and Grenn push toward dawn to rejoin Mormont.
Summary
Samwell Tarly staggers through deep snow with the Night’s Watch survivors retreating from the Fist of the First Men. Overburdened, numb, and exhausted, he recalls releasing the ravens during the attack and the chaos of the battle as wights overran the ringwall and Mormont led a desperate mounted breakout. After the retreat begins, Sam falters and sinks down to die.
Grenn tries to rouse Sam, and when he cannot, Small Paul lifts Sam and carries him as the column moves on. Torchbearers warn they are falling behind, and eventually the three realize the other lights have vanished; they are alone in the dark and cold as Small Paul finally collapses from exhaustion.
Out of the trees emerges a frost-rimed dead horse and a pale rider—an Other. Grenn’s torch is slashed aside by the Other’s ice-blue blade, snuffing their only fire. Small Paul charges and is run through as the blade slides between his mail, killing him.
Overwhelmed by terror and shame, Sam draws his dragonglass dagger. Surging forward, he stabs blindly, cracking the Other’s throat. The creature’s armor liquefies, pale blue blood hisses, and its body dissolves to mist, leaving only the freezing obsidian blade.
Grenn retrieves the dagger and closes Small Paul’s eyes. Seeing pink light through the trees, he orients east toward dawn. Sam, shaken but resolute after killing an Other, struggles to his feet, and together they set off to catch up with Lord Commander Mormont.
Who Appears
- Samwell TarlyExhausted and despairing on the retreat; recalls the Fist; ultimately kills an Other with dragonglass.
- GrennUrges Sam to rise; helps guide him; witnesses the Other; recovers the dragonglass and leads toward dawn.
- Small PaulCarries Sam despite the storm; longs for a raven; charges the Other and is killed.
- The OtherPale rider confronting the stragglers; extinguishes torch; kills Small Paul; dissolves when stabbed with dragonglass.
- Jeor MormontCommands the defense and breakout from the Fist; organizes the retreat and column with torches.
- Dolorous EddSpotted bearing a black banner amid the breakout; later finds Sam after he’s unhorsed.
- Thoren SmallwoodLeads in battle at the Fist; charges the undead bear and is killed.
- DywenWoodsman who helps save supplies; cackles during the defense; leads packhorses in the retreat.
- BlaneShadow Tower ranger commanding archers at the ringwall during the assault.
- ChettFormer steward Sam recalls at the birds’ cages as the attack begins.
- Ser Ottyn WythersSeen on his knees amid chaos at the Fist before being struck by a riderless horse.
- Black BernarrBrother who broke his ankle during the retreat and was remounted.